Sochi's gay scene

At the Mayak Cabaret, one of the few gay clubs in Russia’s Olympic city of Sochi, a man strips to his underwear as a drag performer strides towards him.

Sochi’s once vibrant gay scene has been shrinking since Russia won the right to host the 2014 Winter Games, and the decline has continued since President Vladimir Putin signed a law this year banning the spread of "gay propaganda" among minors.

28 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

The Black Sea city of Sochi gained a reputation for tolerance during Soviet times and has a marked liberal feel in comparison to many other parts of Russia, but not compared to Western European cities.

Many members of the local gay community have left, lured abroad by the gay scenes in cities such as Berlin or Barcelona.

Putin's increasingly conservative social agenda in his third term as president has boosted the role of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader has suggested homosexuality is one of Russia's biggest threats, and given more air time to anti-homosexual rhetoric on media outlets.

A new nationwide bill that outlaws gay "propaganda" gives little detail on what exactly is banned and gay activists fear the possible proximity of children could be used to ban gay rights rallies or even punish displays of affection.

21 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

Many say the "gay propaganda" law sends out a signal for people to single the gay community out for discrimination and in some cases violence.

High school student Vladislav Slavsky (pictured above) said he puts up with abuse on a regular basis.

He said other students at his school have thrown stones and spat at him and vigilantes once tried to "cure" him of his homosexuality by pouring urine and sewage on him.

"It's happened so often now that when I go to the police they just sneer and say they can't be my personal bodyguard," he said.

"Can you imagine waking up every day in the city that you were born, walking the same streets you have walked your whole life but where you still, after all this time, feel like a stranger?"

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Slideshow

21 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

Gay rights activist Vladislav Slavsky (right) poses for a photograph with his boyfriend, who wants to remain anonymous, at the Black Sea promenade in Sochi.

29 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

A woman walks past the gay cabaret club, Mayak.

17 Dec 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

Andrey Tanichev, who opened Mayak with his partner Roman Kochagov, poses for a photograph in his venue.

28 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

Performers prepare for a drag show at the club.

28 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

A drag artist gets ready backstage.

29 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

Performers at Mayak stand in the dressing room.

28 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

A drag artist performs at the club.

28 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

A man participates in a drag show.

28 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

People at the cabaret club watch a performance.

21 Oct 2013. SOCHI, Russia. Reuters/Thomas Peter

Gay rights activist Vladislav Slavsky (left) poses for a photograph with his boyfriend.